PJ: I started writing after my second child was born back in 2004. I gave up watching TV about the same time, and she was a great sleeper (so unlike my first kid). Combine those two things together, and I wound up with a lot of extra time on my hands. So I figured I may as well give writing a shot. It was that or giant jigsaw puzzles. Writing works for me because I'm a pretty schedule-oriented person and can write every day as a habit.

EJ: What brought you to the paranormal genre?

PJ: My love for all things sci-fi and fantasy came from a childhood of watching Star Trek and reading Choose Your Own Adventure books, so writing something else besides science fiction and fantasy was never even discussed between the voices in my head. I couldn't be happier with all the amazing young adult paranormal stories available, and I'm thrilled to contribute to that market.

EJ: If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?

PJ: Growing up, I always wanted to have special powers like a Jedi. Combine that with my love of the 1980s show The Powers of Matthew Star, and I have to go with telekinesis. The struggle, I think, would be in making sure I still actually got up to do things, rather than just doing them with my mind, but it sure would be handy when it came time to turn out the lights at night.

EJ: Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.

PJ: The number one hook for SOLSTICE is how the popular genres of dystopian stories and mythology are combined. I adore the twist I put on the whole world, and I think readers will, too. And with these combined genres, the world has so much potential. SOLSTICE is where dystopia and mythology meet, and is aimed at people who love mythology and seeing it spun into a modern (or futuristic) setting.
Here's the short blurb: SOLSTICE, a debut young adult novel by P. J. Hoover, is an intensely romantic story set in a disturbing future of uncontrolled climate change, where, after 18 years of endless summer, the earth is dying a slow, hot death, and is about a young woman named Piper who opens a Pandora's box of sorts which catapults her into a modern mythological world. SOLSTICE is the first front-list title to be independently published by an Andrea Brown Literary Agency author, and is agented by Laura Rennert.

EJ: If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?

PJ: I mentioned above that I stopped watching TV, but just a couple weeks ago, I started up again thanks to Game of Thrones (HBO). So, for the character of Shayne in SOLSTICE, I'll go with Jon Snow (Kit Harington) from Game of Thrones since Prince Caspian (Ben Barnes) is getting a bit older now. He's the only character I have cast at this point, but hopefully I'll figure more out in the future!

Solstice by P.J. Hoover.

Where Mythology and Dystopia meet...

Piper’s world is dying. Global warming kills every living thing on Earth, and each day brings hotter temperatures and heat bubbles which threaten to destroy humanity. Amid this Global Heating Crisis, Piper lives with her mother who suffocates her more than the chaotic climate. When her mother is called away to meet the father Piper has been running from her entire life, Piper seizes an opportunity for freedom.

But when Piper discovers a world of mythology she never knew existed, she realizes her world is not the only one in crisis. While Gods battle for control of the Underworld, Piper's life spirals into turmoil, and she struggles to find answers to secrets kept from her since birth. And though she’s drawn to her classmate Shayne, he may be more than he claims. Piper has to choose whom she can trust and how she can save the people she loves even if it means the end of everything she’s ever known.

Thank you P.J. for joining us here today at From the Shadows!

To learn more about P.J. Hoover and her books, please visit her website.